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Commercial Closure of the Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on October 31, 2023

October 25, 2023

FB23-077: South Atlantic Fishery Bulletin; For more information, contact: Mary Vara, 727-824-5305, mary.vara@noaa.gov

What/When:

The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 31, 2023.

 

Why this Closure is Happening:

The 2023 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 82,935 pounds gutted weight.  Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial hook-and-line catch limit and harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

 

During and After the Closure:

  • The closure prohibitions for the commercial hook-and-line component apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
  • The South Atlantic golden tilefish commercial longline component closed on February 26, 2023, and reopened for 3 days on April 4, 2023.  Therefore, since the commercial longline component is currently closed, all commercial harvest and sale of South Atlantic golden tilefish will be prohibited effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2023.  
  • All harvest and possession of golden tilefish in or from South Atlantic federal waters is prohibited effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2023, since recreational harvest of golden tilefish was closed on July 17, 2023.
  • The prohibitions on harvest and possession and sale/purchase of golden tilefish apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or federal waters.
  • The prohibitions on harvest or possession and sale or purchase during the closure do not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 31, 2023, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2024 fishing season for golden tilefish commercial hook-and-line component in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2024, with a commercial catch limit of 82,935 pounds gutted weight, unless specified otherwise.

 

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations.  The complete list of regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6.


Sign Up for Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS).  Standard message & data rates may apply.  You may opt-out at any time.

 

Text alerts you may receive include:

  • Immediate fishery openings and closures
  • Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

 

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

  • Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
  • Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text CARIBFISH to 888777

 

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

 

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, FL now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701).  You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers.  Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application.  The mailbox will be checked daily.  For more information contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

 

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750 

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202 

 

Last updated by Southeast Regional Office on October 25, 2023